By Isabelle Truman

Scott Morrison Warns The Bushfires May Last Months Longer

The worst may not yet be over

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – DECEMBER 21: Firemen prepare as a bushfire approaches homes on the outskirts of the town of Bargo on December 21, 2019 in Sydney, Australia. A catastrophic fire danger warning has been issued for the greater Sydney region, the Illawarra and southern ranges as hot, windy conditions continue to hamper firefighting efforts across NSW. NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian declared a state of emergency on Thursday, the second state of emergency declared in NSW since the start of the bushfire season. (Photo by David Gray/Getty Images)

It was a devastating weekend for Australia, which saw both NSW and Victoria declare a state of emergency, the death toll rise to 24 and an estimated 450,000,000 animals lost in the worst bushfire crisis in the country’s history.

With people evacuating their homes to flee from the blaze as winds travelled, celebrities, politicians and the royal family responded by donating money and sharing images to raise awareness.

Comedian Celeste Barber managed to raise $20m AUD in 48 hours after posing photos from her mother-in-law’s home in Eden, NSW, prompting Pink to donate $500,000. Nicole Kidman later matched the amount and was seen in tears in Los Angeles after reportedly being told her Sydney home was under threat, while the royal family posted links to donate and sent messages of condolence, writing that they are “shocked and saddened.”

COLO HEIGHTS, AUSTRALIA – NOVEMBER 15: A kangaroo escapes the fire as the fire front approaches a property on November 15, 2019 in Colo Heights, Australia. The warning has been issued for a 80,000-hectare blaze at Gospers Mountain, which is burning in the direction of Colo Heights. An estimated million hectares of land has been burned by bushfire across Australia following catastrophic fire conditions – the highest possible level of bushfire danger – in the past week. A state of emergency was declared by NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian on Monday 11 November and is still in effect, giving emergency powers to Rural Fire Service Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons and prohibiting fires across the state. Four people have died following the bushfires in NSW this week. (Photo by Brett Hemmings/Getty Images)

On Saturday, Scott Morrison announced the largest military call-up in recent history, mobilising up to 3,000 military reserve forces to assist exhausted volunteer firefighters and warning the fires, which began in September, may burn for many more months.

On Sunday, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced the country would be sending three helicopters to assist in fighting the blaze, after sending a further 22 firefighters across to Australia earlier in the week. “This is by no means the only thing we can do to help, and we’re at the ready and talking to our neighbours frequently,” she wrote on Instagram.

Below, all the ways you can help.

Donate to The Australian Red Cross, which has volunteers at evacuation and recovery centres.

Donate to the Salvation Army Australia, which launched a disaster appeal, providing shelter and meals to evacuees and front-line responders.

Donate to St. Vincent de Paul Society Australia, which requesting money to help evacuated families cover bills and rebuild.

To help the hurt and displaced animals, donate to WIRES.

You can also personally write to Prime Minister Scott Morrison to ask for urgent action on climate change and more support for those who need it.

topics: news, bushfires, climate change, politics